Syracuse University combines Homecoming, Reunion into one week of activities for alumni, students

Syracuse University combines Homecoming, Reunion into one week of activities for alumni, studentsSeptember 27, 2007Kelly Homan Rodoskikahoman@syr.edu

As Syracuse University begins a new tradition — bringing students and alumni together by combining Homecoming and Reunion festivities into one extraordinary week of events — SU will honor reunion classes from years ending in 2 and 7. All alumni are warmly welcomed back to campus for this special occasion. Student activities and the decoration of campus will begin Oct. 7; Homecoming + Reunion will hit full stride with events for students, faculty, staff, and alumni Oct. 11-14.

“From the earliest days of Syracuse University, our students and alumni have connected with evolving, deeply rooted traditions,” says Barry L. Wells, senior vice president and dean of student affairs. “As SU broadens its efforts to engage students and alumni with one another, Homecoming + Reunion offers a special opportunity for these parties to come together for the history and lasting difference made by this great institution.”

Homecoming + Reunion offers a variety of educational and social opportunities, such as free presentations from renowned faculty experts, annual class dinners and traditions like the Homecoming football game (versus Rutgers), parade, pep rally and bonfire.

“We are pleased to kick off this exciting new tradition as we welcome our alumni back to a campus alive with students and activities. Homecoming + Reunion offers our alumni and students the unique opportunity to interact while attending a variety of events throughout the weekend,” says Andrea Latchem, assistant vice president for alumni relations.

In honor of their reunion year, the Class of 1957 has made major efforts to increase their commitment to Syracuse University and has surpassed the million dollar mark through annual and planned gifts.

A complete schedule of events can be found at http://homecoming.syr.edu.

The excitement will begin building on Sunday, Oct. 7, with the decorating of the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center and the Goldstein Student Center.

Events on Monday, Oct. 8, include the Orange Crush decoration of campus and University Union-sponsored event, `Cuse Idol, at 8 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium in the Schine Student Center (tickets are available at the Schine Box Office).

On Tuesday, Oct. 9, and Wednesday, Oct. 10, Slice of Orange Day will take place in the Schine Student Center Atrium with games, prizes and food from 11 a.m. -2 p.m. The Homecoming Court and winners of the Orange Crush decoration competitions will be announced at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Events on Thursday, Oct. 11, include:

• An open house at WAER (795 Ostrom Ave.) at 3 p.m.;

• A concert by the University’s Brazilian Ensemble at 4 p.m. in the Setnor Auditorium at Crouse College;

• A School of Nursing open house at 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Heroy Geology Building;

• A lecture by Nuremberg prosecutor Henry T. King Jr. at 6 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel, sponsored by The University Lectures and the 2007 Syracuse Symposium;

• The Half Century Dinner at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel and Conference Center, for all classes that have already celebrated their 50th reunion. The classes of 1937, 1942, 1947 and 1952 will be honored, and the Melvin A. Eggers Senior Alumni Award will be conferred during the dinner.

• The Class of 1957 Golden Anniversary Dinner on the Quad at 6 p.m.

• The Homecoming Showcase at 8 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium (tickets available at the Schine Box Office); and

• Pride Union’s Big Gay Dance in the Schine Underground at 10 p.m. (tickets available at the Schine Box Office).

Friday, Oct. 12, offers with a wide variety of educational and social events. Among the scheduled events:

• Morning educational seminars on crime scene investigation, the South Side Entrepreneurial Project, the Burton Blatt Institute and Climates for Change, held at various locations;

• Reunion class luncheons at various locations from 12:15-1:30 p.m.;

• School of Information Studies fair and tour of Hinds Hall, 1:30-3 p.m. A career panel will be held at 3 p.m. in Room 347 of Hinds Hall;

• Sand pour at the Comstock Art Facility, 2-3:30 p.m.

• A discussion and lecture on Mozart and the Myth of Don Juan by Stephen Meyer, 2-3:30 p.m.

• Alumni book signings by Tanney Oberg ’50, David Shalleck ’83, Erol Munuz ’84, Sydnor Thompson ’47 and Jack Cavanaugh ’52, E.S. Bird Library, 2-3:30 p.m.;

• A special performance, “Instruments from the Non-Western World” by musician and College of Visual and Performing Arts faculty member Bill Cole and bassist Shayna Dulberger at the Black Box Theatre at the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Center (805 E. Genesee St.) from 2-3:30 p.m.

• A Homecoming Awards Ceremony, honoring outstanding alumni, young alumni, alumni clubs and faculty, at 4 p.m. in the Panasci Lounge of the Schine Student Center.

• The high-energy `Cuse Commotion, kicking off on Friday evening with the parade and banner competition at 5:30 p.m.; pep rally, bonfire and Homecoming barbecue on the Quad. Advance registration is required at http://homecoming.syr.edu and a University Union-sponsored concert will follow at 9 p.m.

• A SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) Alumni and Family Reception on the Quad at 6 p.m.

• “Night of Distinction,” featuring the 43rd Annual Letterwinner of Distinction Awards Banquet at the OnCenter at 6 p.m. Contact Barbara Nesci at the Orange Club office at 315-443-6284 or bjnesci@syr.edu to make a reservation.

• The College of Law General Alumni Cocktail Party and Annual Dinner at the Hotel Syracuse, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 13 will begin with the traditional events such as:

• Dean’s Breakfasts at 8:30 a.m., held at various locations around campus.

• Orange Friendzy, the pre-game party on the Quad, beginning three hours before kickoff of the SU v. Rutgers football game in the Carrier Dome (game time TBA).

• At 3 p.m., a screening of the documentary “God Grew Tired of Us,” attended by student John Dau, one of the “Lost Boys” of the Sudan who is featured in the film, at the Palace Theater (384 James St.), Syracuse. A discussion and book signing will follow the presentation, which is sponsored by University College. A similar screening, discussion and book signing will be held in Grant Auditorium at 7 p.m. that evening.

• Black Artist League “You Got Jokes” show at 7 p.m. and a Phi Beta Sigma and Traditions Commission Dance at 9 p.m. Both events take place in Goldstein Auditorium with tickets available at the Schine Box Office.

On Sunday, Oct. 14, the weekend will come to a close with a Farewell Brunch from 9 a.m.-noon in the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center.

• Religious services at various times and locations around campus. At 12:30 p.m., the Hendricks Chapel’s Office of Community Engagement and Integrative Learning will sponsor a discussion at the chapel with Ariik Thon Nyok, one of the “Lost Boys” of the Sudan and a current SU student who is working to build a school in his home village in the Sudan. The discussion is being held in conjunction with the annual CROP Walk.

Homecoming+Reunion 2007 events are sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Alumni Relations. For a complete list of Homecoming+Reunion activities, visit http://homecoming.syr.edu.